Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: The future of USMCA
Dr. Ian Sheldon joins the podcast to explain the history of USMCA, what recent decisions mean for the agreement and why its future matters for Ohio agriculture.
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To help members navigate the ever-changing landscape of agricultural trade in 2025, Ohio Farm Bureau has collected information and resources that will be updated as the trade and tariff situation continues to unfold.
To stay up to date on the latest tariff news, subscribe to American Farm Bureau’s MarketIntel e-newsletter.
Since the beginning of the Trump administration, there has been a lot of focus on trade and the use of tariffs to level the playing field for American farmers. After decades of substantial U.S. agricultural trade surpluses, staggering agricultural trade deficits over the past two years have caught the nation’s attention. For fiscal year 2024, USDA’s Economic Research Service estimated a record $32 billion agricultural trade deficit, only the fourth agricultural trade deficit in the last 50 years.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on President Trump’s announcement that the United States will impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners.
“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country. We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years,” Duvall said. “We encourage the administration to work toward a swift resolution to trade disagreements to avoid tariffs that put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs of retaliation, and to pursue strategies that expand market opportunities for the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”
According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, exports make up 20% of the farmer’s bottom line. After a nearly 30% drop in farm income over the past three years, there is major concern that tariffs levied on trading partners across the globe would only add to further losses at the farm gate. As a reminder, a tariff is a tax paid at the border by an importer seeking to bring products into the United States from a foreign country.
Agricultural Exports 101
Trade policy decisions being made in Washington will impact farmers and ranchers in the countryside. With one-fifth of U.S. agricultural production destined for foreign markets, agricultural exports are vital to the financial success of U.S. farmers. A recent American Farm Bureau Market Intel report, Agricultural Exports 101, explores different topics related to agricultural trade, including the potential impacts of trade policy changes.
Understanding the new tariffs
Starting April 5, a 10% baseline tariff has been applied to nearly all products from all countries, with a few notable exceptions. Now, 57 countries (83 when accounting for all European Union member states) will face higher tariffs of up to 50%, which go into effect April 9. What are some of the exemptions being made for farmers and how will tariffs impact American agriculture’s bottom line? Get the answers in this Market Intel report, Understanding the New Tariffs, from American Farm Bureau.
Tallying up the latest retaliatory tariffs
From Inauguration Day through March 18, 2025, an additional 20% of tariffs have been applied to all Chinese products, 25% to most Canadian and Mexican products (which were subsequently paused through April 2 on USMCA-compliant products) and 25% to all steel and aluminum imports from all countries. Canada and China have already implemented retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S.-imposed tariffs. In the AFBF Market Intel Report, Tallying Up the Latested Retaliatory Tariffs, learn how tariffs can be a double-whammy for farmers.
Farmers caught in crossfire of Chinese ship fee fight
In 2024, U.S. farmers exported over 144 million metric tons of agricultural products, valued at more than $105 billion, through ocean ports. These ocean shipments represented nearly 60% of total agricultural export value and 65% by volume, underscoring the vital role of maritime transport in delivering U.S. agriculture products to global customers. However, recent proposals to impose substantial fees on Chinese-built and -operated vessels entering U.S. ports could have far-reaching consequences for agricultural trade. Find out what this could mean for American farmers in this Market Intel report from American Farm Bureau, Farmers Caught in Crossfire of Chinese Ship Fee Fight.
Tariffs in the news
Ohio Farm Bureau county leaders face uncertainty in D.C. – Ohio Ag Net
Ohio Farm Bureau members concerned about tariff impacts to trade – Brownfield Ag News
What would a trade war with Canada mean for Ohio? – Columbus Dispatch
Widening trade war threatens $21 billion worth of U.S. corn, soybean exports – Spectrum News
Ohio’s farmers concerned about new tariffs imposed by President Trump – Statehouse News
Ohio farmers fear losses from new tariffs – Ohio Ag Connection
How Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs could affect Ohioans – WCMH-TV Columbus
Ohio farmers worry about looming tariffs – Fox 28 TV Columbus
Tariffs impact on Ohio’s agriculture: Farmers’ struggle continues – Scripps News
Trump’s sweeping tariffs are met with trade tensions – Ag Daily
Ohio farmers export half their soybeans. Tariffs could hurt business – Ohio Public Radio
Ohio farmers brace for the impacts of tariffs on Mexico and Canada – Spectrum News
The Spectrum: Ohio’s newest congressman; tariffs affect state’s farms – NBC4 Columbus
American farmers fretting about Trump tariffs – Axios
Farm Bureau wary of tariffs – The Bryan Times
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Featured Articles
Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: White House conversations and trade updates
Hear about Adele Flynn’s recent trip to the White House and a trade update from The Ohio State University.
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Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: Tariffs and Ag Trade
Learn about an AFBF Market Intel report that explores different topics related to agricultural trade, including the potential impacts of trade policy changes.
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Market Intel: How trade issues impact agriculture
Over 20% of all the production in the United States from agriculture gets exported to a different country.
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Agriculture trade and tariff resources
Ohio Farm Bureau has collected information and resources that will be updated as the trade and tariff situation continues to unfold.
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Just as grain prices quickly climbed, so did the prices for other agricultural products.
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Brown talks trade, tax policies
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International trade markets bring local prosperity
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